Intellectual Colonization in Text, Art, and Historiography

The Mayans and Their Bible (the Popol Vuh)

Moderated By:
Dr. Susanne Scholz, Asst. Professor of Old Testament, Perkins School of Theology
Dr. Adam Herring, Associate Professor of Art History, Meadows School of the Arts

DATE AND LOCATION:Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Perkins School of Theology5901 Bishop Blvd Prothro Hall Refectory-Rm 104

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: 6:30 pm Gathering for light dinner 7:00-8:30 Discussion

This session focuses on the Mayan historical, cultural and socio-political interpretations of the Popol Vuh - the sacred text of the Guatemalan indigenous people. Among the questions explored are:
1. What is the Popol Vuh?
2. Why is this sacred text not well known and studied in religious and theological studies?
3. What does it contain?
4. How does it relate to liberation theologies?
5. How have scholars of art history engaged this Mayan tradition?
6. Why is this text of interest to Latino/a religious and biblical studies?
The series of Interdisciplinary Dialogue sessions is presented by The Center for the Study of Latino/a Christianity and Religions at Perkins School of Theology with funds from the Luce Foundation. The Center promotes a deeper understanding of the varieties of religious life and expression within the Latino communities in the USA and Latin America and addresses issues related to the Latino/a religious experience within a broader ecumenical and religious context.

SUGGESTED READING:
(available as pdf-files on Academic Search Complete, a library online database)
Parsons, Mikeal C and Garrett Cook. “Cosmogonies and Culture: Teaching Genesis and the Popol Vuh in an Interdisciplinary Course at a Christian University.” Christian Higher Education 3, 3 (July 2004): 185-205.
Chiappari, Christopher. “Toward a Maya Theology of Liberation: The Reformulation of a ‘Traditional’ Religion in the Global Context.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 41, 1 (March 2002): 47-67.
Dennis Tedlock, Popol Vuh: The Definitive Edition of The Mayan Book of The Dawn of Life and The Glories of Gods and Kings (NY: Touchstone, 1996). A fluent, often beautiful translation by a noted scholar of Mayan languages.
Allen J. Christenson, Popol Vuh: The Sacred Book of the Maya: The Great Classic of Central American Spirituality, Translated fromthe Original Maya Text (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2007). A newer translation, replete with informative and useful scholarly apparatus.

http://www.smu.edu/Perkins/PublicPrograms/LatinoCenter.aspx

For more information, please email to sscholz@smu.edu.